PINE GROVE — Those graduating Tuesday from Pine Grove Area High School were told to appreciate life, be true to themselves and remember where they came from.

Hundreds of family and friends — and even a drone flying above the stadium — witnessed the milestone moment of the 103 graduates of the Class of 2016 at Cardinal Stadium.

“Everyone tonight is proud of each and every one of you,” Michael Janicelli, high school principal, told the graduating class.

He urged students to write their own definition of success and not let society dictate it for them.

“Create your own definition of success and live by it every day,” he said.

He told students to remember their rural heritage and that they were students at Pine Grove Area School District.

“Never forget where you came from,” he said.

Speakers included Janicelli, Salutatorian Geoffrey Kaufman, Valedictorian Lindsey Zimmerman, senior class President Mackenzie Lesh, student council President/school board representative Delaney Hunter.

Kaufman said the day was one to “celebrate the closing of a chapter in our lives,” but they are prepared for the journey.

He said the school work they had to do and the dedication and effort will serve them well in life.

Zimmerman shared a moment in which Janicelli told the class to appreciate life and those around them. The comments really stuck with her.

“Show your appreciation for those around you,” she said.

Hunter talked about the memories the class shared.

“No community is quite like Pine Grove. We are Cardinals,” she said.

Lesh said the graduates were likely feeling conflicting emotions, which she said will pass. She told students to remember their inner compass.

“Be yourself no matter where you go or who you meet,” she said.

The world can at times be cruel, so she urged “more hugs, less hate.”

Diplomas were bestowed and, the graduates tossed their mortarboards into the air.

Brandon Scott Zimmerman, a former student who had muscular dystrophy and passed away in third grade, was awarded a diploma posthumously, which his parents accepted.

PINE GROVE — Elsie “Jeannine” Hitt considers herself one of the lucky ones.

Others residing at Pine Grove Elderly Housing aren’t as fortunate, she said.

Unbearable heat, flooding, leaky windows, neglected repairs and not being able to contact management when there’s a “non-911” emergency are just some of the problems residents have faced, she said. The complex’s fire alarm system, which went off randomly, was recently replaced.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, is looking into the matter.

Meanwhile, Tanya Brown, the facility’s property manager, said the housing complex is HUD compliant. Brown said she passes along residents’ complaints to the property owner, Mark Halteman. Residents are provided with a phone number for a maintenance man, in case of emergencies, she said.

The complex, at 15 Conrad Richter Drive, consists of 24 apartments total; in three, two-story buildings — A, B and C. There’s also a Community Center building, which houses a lounge, office and laundry room.

When asked this May to remove her window air conditioner, Hitt said she had family members who could help her and could afford to purchase an allowable floor model. Some of her neighbors, however, don’t have family close by and many can’t afford a new air conditioner. She’s lived at the complex for nearly five years.

“I had a window air conditioner from the time I moved in and HUD didn’t have a problem with it before,” she said. “The first year I lived here, they did come to my apartment,” she said of the HUD inspector.

Hitt and other residents had letters dated May 6 that were taped to their front doors, alerting them that if they didn’t remove the window air conditioner and comply within 72 hours, they could lose their HUD subsidy.

“Everybody was pretty upset about it,” said Hitt, who suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, allergies and asthma.

Hitt, who retired as a nurse, and worked in management, said she thought the situation could have been handled differently.

“I thought it was disrespectful,” she said. “I’d like to talk to the people that own the place, but I don’t know if that’s possible.”.

“It was a terrible situation to place people in the heat,” Hitt’s daughter, Jeannine Leeker, Schuylkill Haven, said.

According to Leeker, there’s been several problems that haven’t been addressed quickly. She said there’s been problems with the elevator not working properly, electrical problems and repairs not being made promptly.

“Not being able to get a hold of someone to address something that happens is the biggest concern. You’re going around in circles,” Leeker said. “There should be someone available any time of day.”

Hitt said residents do have a “Call Bell” available in their bathroom and bedroom. If the call bell is pushed, a light comes on above the residents’ door in the hallway, alerting someone that help is needed. Many times, she said she has gone to check on neighbors, if she sees their call light is on. When Hitt accidently hit the call bell while cleaning, she said no one ever came to check on her. Hitt said it is true that residents do have the number of a maintenance man, however, she believes a management number should be available to tenants, and management should be present on a daily basis. She realizes it’s not an assisted living facility.

Hitt said they replaced the window panes about four years ago, but the window frames stayed the same. When it rains heavily, the windows leak, forcing Hitt to keep towels on the sill.

The complex’s fire alarm system also had problems, she said. It would continue to go off, for no apparent reason. Hitt called the fire company, and the Hose, Hook & Ladder, Pine Grove, responded. Earlier this year, before the HUD inspection in April, a new fire alarm system was installed, Hitt said.

Hitt, 73, is originally from Missouri. In addition to Leeker, her children include Teresa Tocco and Angela Meyer, both of Pine Grove; and John Tocco, of Millersburg. She also has nine grand-children and six great-grandchildren. She said she likes her apartment, it’s centrally located, and she has nice neighbors. When one of her neighbors was recently in distress, Hitt tried to get him assistance, and a fellow resident came to his aide.

An 83-year-old Army veteran, Ed Fritz, climbed into the neighbor’s bedroom window on Memorial Day. His neighbor, a fellow veteran, became locked out of his apartment, because his door lock was broken, and he was unable to contact management to assist. The man needed his heart medication, which was inaccessible inside.

“We used a bench and a step stool, so I could crawl into the bedroom window,” said Fritz, who then opened his neighbor’s front door from the inside.

Fritz was born right next door to Building C, and has been a life-long Pine Grove resident. He resides in Building B now and has lived there for eight years. Fritz served with the Army Engineers from 1953-55, he said.

Fritz said for years he’d had an air conditioner in his window during the summer months, but now purchased a portable, floor model to comply. The 10,000 BTU portable model cost him $278 plus tax.

“They used to come in and would put the air conditioner in for you,” Fritz said. “Then HUD came and said we couldn’t have them any more. They said we couldn’t get out in case of a fire, and I told them that I could get out the other window,” he said. Fritz said residents were previously provided with a list of rules, and one of the rules said that residents could have an air conditioner, and that management would even help them put it in.

Barb Wise moved into Building A a year ago in November. Last summer, she purchased a window model air conditioner, which she said cooled her entire apartment. After this year’s inspection, she was forced to remove it.

“I can’t afford a floor model, and I don’t think they’re as good as the ones in the window,” she said.

Now, she’s left with using a fan to circulate air.

“I get the afternoon sun, and it was 88 degrees in here,” said Wise, originally from Ravine. “It’s elderly abuse.”

Wise visits her neighbor, Hitt, to get cooled off, she said.

“They didn’t give us much time and they could have told us in person, and not just put a piece of paper on our door,” Wise said. “I hope they change their mind. I’ve had neighbors who had air conditioners in their windows for years.”

When it rains, Wise’s bedroom window also leaks.

Wise had trouble with her toilet tank filling up on Memorial Day weekend and had to shut her toilet off. She used the rest room in the Community Center building, and only used her own toilet at night, she said. Someone came to fix the toilet the next day, but now, it’s still not right and only fills up half way, she said.

Another resident, Abigail Benjamin, spent time Thursday in the Community Center, trying to cool down.

“I don’t have the money to buy another one (air conditioner) and I’ll have to wait until I can get more money together,” Benjamin said. “By 9 a.m., it started to feel hot in my apartment, so I came over here.”

Benjamin said she called a PPL help line to see about getting some assistance in purchasing an energy efficient portable air conditioner.

“I just mailed it to PPL to see if I’m eligible for that, but was told it may take a few months,” she said.

Benjamin was born in New York and formerly resided in Meyerstown. She was a CNA. A 1992 car accident left her in a coma, and in intensive care at Hershey Medical Center. She uses a walker today, and said everyone’s prayers from the Assemblies of Yahweh in Bethel helped her recover. She said she moved to the Pine Grove complex because of her faith.

She’s lived at the Pine Grove complex since 2014, first residing in Building C, and then moving into Building B. She used to live on the second floor in Building C.

“Sometimes the lift didn’t work and I’d have to walk down using my walker,” Benjamin said.

Brown, Lebanon, has served as property manager since February 2016.

“We have to comply with the rules,” Brown said. She said the last HUD Real Estate Assessment Center inspection occurred April 26, 2016. Prior to the inspection, Brown said, she went to every apartment, and asked occupants if there were any items that needed addressed, repaired or replaced.

After the April 26 HUD inspection, the inspector said that the facility had 72 hours in which to comply, Brown said. The air conditioners in the windows were the only issue, she said.

“We passed the inspection and everything was good,” she said.

Residents cannot have window air conditioning units, she said, due to it being a safety issue in the event of an emergency. The large living room windows — where the air conditioners fit — are the ones big enough for people to exit, if they need to, in addition to their front door. HUD code requires there to be two exit ways. If the air conditioner is in the window, the window can’t be used as an exit.

HUD randomly selects the apartments it wants to inspect. Brown said the inspection always includes a minimum of five units. This year, she said, 13 units were inspected.

Brown said the facility had to take photos before, and after corrections, demonstrating to HUD that the appropriate measures were taken, and items fixed.

“As far as HUD is concerned, everything is up to code,” she said Friday.

“We’re trying to help them as much as we can,” Brown said, of residents dealing with the air conditioning situation. Brown offered to host a sidewalk sale at the facility, where residents could sell their window air conditioners, if they wished. She’s also checked online pricing for portable, floor models and shared information with residents. She’s offered to mail requests to PPL from residents seeking help in purchasing energy efficient air conditioners.

“We want them to be safe and happy,” she said.

Any resident who wanted to escape the heat was welcome to come into the complex’s Community Center, where a large, gathering area is air-conditioned.

“In their lease, it says that they are responsible for their own air conditioners,” Brown said. Residents also pay for their own electricity. There is currently no central air conditioning, and the apartments use electric heat.

“I have an open-door policy,” Brown said. “I listen to them, and then send it where it needs to go. On a lot of these things, I’m waiting to hear back (from the owner).” She confirmed the facility is owned by Halteman, of Pine Grove Associates LLC.

Although she’s fairly new at the facility, Brown said it was her understanding that some residents had their window air conditioners in before, and were not asked to remove them other years.

On the issue of not having a number to call in case of emergencies, Brown said, residents have the number of a maintenance man who they can call. Brown’s on-site two days a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We were discussing the possibility of having another part-time maintenance person on-call. We talked about it yesterday,” Brown said Friday.

Brown was unaware why the name and an old phone number for the “Schuylkill County Housing Authority” was still on the complex’s outdoor sign. Thomas “Tim” Hale, the authority executive director, said it’s been 20 years or longer since the authority was part of the management agency for the Pine Grove facility.

“There’s no involvement,” Hale said.

Joseph Kephart, of Kephart’s General Contracting, Pottsville, serves as the maintenance personnel for the facility. He said Tuesday he has worked for the management of the complex for two years.

“Those apartments are very well taken care of,” he said. Kephart said he was never meant to be the sole emergency contact. The previous property manager used to give her number to residents, in addition to his, he said.

“Any issues are addressed usually within a day,” he said, “but my hands are tied. I can’t do anything without the owner’s permission.”

Nika V. Edwards, Regional Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Region III/Mid-Atlantic Region, Philadelphia, said the complex is privately owned and managed, and recommended speaking with Halteman about any maintenance questions. A FOIA request is required for physical inspection reports, Edwards said. The Republican-Herald filed a request, and it was received Monday, Edwards confirmed. Information will be forthcoming from Sheppard V. Williams, HUD FOIA Liason.

The Department has 20 working days within which to make a determination on the request unless unusual circumstances exist. Under unusual circumstances, such as an agency’s backlog, or the need to examine a voluminous amount of records required by the request, HUD can extend the 20-day time limit for processing a request. Based upon HUD’s experience and current inventory, it is estimated that it may take 25 working days to complete processing of the request.

The Republican-Herald left a business card with contact information with Brown, and also made repeated phone calls to Halteman’s number, which was provided by HUD. That number continually rang as busy.

Ian Miller, a service bureau analyst for Paulhus and Associates, provides compliance services for Pine Grove Elderly Housing.

“I wanted to let you know, we received your information. Unfortunately, the owner of Pine Grove (Elderly Housing) is out of town at the moment. We are currently in discussion with him to provide a full response to your inquiry,” Miller wrote in an email Monday afternoon.

In an email sent Tuesday morning, Miller wrote: “We understand that one of the tenants spoke with you about their grievances with the housing complex. We believe the tenant’s main concern is with the recent issue regarding window air conditioners. The Department of Housing and Urban Development conducted a property inspection on 4/26/16. This inspection is required for all properties that receive funding through HUD. During the inspection, the HUD inspector pointed out that some of the tenants had personal window air conditioners in their apartments and that this was a safety issue. According to HUD inspection guidelines, every apartment must have two means of escape. The door being one, and due to building design the window is the second avenue of escape. HUD and Pine Grove Elderly Housing takes safety issues very seriously. As a result, HUD requires proof that the issue was resolved within 72 hours of the inspection. I have attached a copy of the Healthy and Safety report, identifying the blocked egress issue. Some information has been redacted due to privacy. I have also attached a copy of a document released by HUD called ‘Physical Inspection FAQs’. Point 8 starting on page 2, identifies the specific regulation on blocked windows.”

On the Exigent Health and Safety Notification Form, dated April 26, 2016, it shows the HUD inspector’s name as Eric Hodge; and lists six deficiencies — with four of them involving the blocked/unusable emergency fire exits via the windows. Two other deficiency details are redacted. Information Miller supplied also details when an object constitutes a “Life Threatening Health and Safety Hazard” if it is placed in front of a window. It states: “Items blocking a window or door only create a blocked/unusable emergency fire exit deficiency on the third or lower floors. All floor areas must have a minimum of two independent unobstructed exits.” It also explains if the window is blocked by a window air conditioner, furniture or any other obstruction, including inoperable window sash and the area has only one exit door, the inspector must record a blocked/unusable deficiency.

“It is getting a little warmer than it was back in April, so we can see why not having an air conditioner can be an issue for the tenants,” Miller wrote. “In the past four weeks we have been working to assist them. Schuylkill County Area Agency on Aging was contacted, but we were told they do not supply air conditioning units or fans. We have also done some research for the tenants on options that would stay within the guidelines including fans, and portable air conditioners. Tenants do have the option to utilize the Community Building, as well which is air conditioned,” Miller said in his email.

The office of U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, R-17, has begun searching for answers.

“Our office has contacted HUD regarding this issue and we are waiting for a response,” Deputy Chief of Staff Shane Seaver, communications director, said Tuesday afternoon.

Up until Monday, Cartwright’s office had no complaints about the facility.

Cartwright’s office needed a direct written communication to the congressman from a resident or residents; and a privacy release form — that his office can supply — that allows his office to raise the matter on their behalf with HUD, Seaver explained.

“Sometimes such landlord-tenant-regulatory issues can be worked out, and, with a little more information, my office may be able to assist,” Seaver’s email said.

n Frackville: A bleenie sale that had been scheduled for Friday by St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church has been canceled.

n Kelayres: The Kline Township Municipal Authority has issued a reminder to customers to keep grass and bushes trimmed around meter pits. It is the customer’s responsibility to provide a safe path for the meter reader to access buildings.

n Lansford: Adult coloring sessions are held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Mondays at the Panther Valley Public Library, 117 E. Bertsch St. People are welcome to relax, meet new friends and create pictures. Coloring supplies are provided by the library. Registration is now for the library’s summer reading program titled “On Your Mark, Get Set ... Read!” The preschool program is open to children ages 3 to 5 and will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesdays or Thursdays. The school-age program is open to children ages 6 to 8 and will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Programs begin the week of June 21. To register or for more information, call 570-645-3780.

n Lehighton: A Ukrainian Cabaret with food and entertainment will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Ukrainian Homestead of CEC, ODWU Inc., 1230 Beaver Run Drive. The Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble and the St. Mary’s Traditional Ukrainian Dancers will perform at 7 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 15. The event will benefit the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee’s humanitarian outreach in Eastern Ukraine. For more information or reservations, call 570-708-1992.

n Ringtown: “On Your Mark, Get Set ... Read!” is the summer program that will be held at the Ringtown Area Library, West Main Street. Registration is now open for all summer library programs, including storytime for children 3 to 6 years old at 2 p.m. Mondays, an activity program for children 7 to 12 at 2 p.m. Wednesdays and the reading incentive program and Summer of Numbers for children of all ages. Stop at the library or visit www.ringtownlibrary.org for details. Weekly programs begin this Monday. Everyone is welcome to join for the Franklin Institute’s Traveling Science Show “Human Body” at 2 p.m. June 15. “Discover how nutrients in the food we eat are converted into the energy that keeps us on the move,” organizers said in a release. The Franklin Institute program is recommended for children in first through sixth grades and is funded in part by a grant from the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation.

n Tamaqua: State Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, issued a press release to inform senior citizens that Diakon Community Services, in cooperation with the state Department of Agriculture, will again distribute fruit and vegetable vouchers to those who qualify beginning Thursday. Schuylkill residents are eligible if they are 60 or older and live within the county. The income guidelines for program participation are set by the federal government. In 2016, the limit is $21,978 for a single person and $29,637 for a married couple. Those who qualify will receive four $5 vouchers for a total purchase of $20 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables at approved farmers markets. The produce must be “grown or growable” in Pennsylvania. A Pennsylvania driver’s license or photo license is sufficient to meet the age/residency requirements. Vouchers are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and will be distributed as follows: Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tamaqua Salvation Army, 105 W. Broad St.; June 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, Fourth and Lewis streets, Minersville; July 8, 9 to 11 a.m., Christ United Methodist Church, 400 E. Grand Ave., Tower City; July 12, 10 a.m. to noon, McAdoo Fire Company, Grant and Hancock streets. Vouchers will also be available for distribution at the following senior community centers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning this Thursday: Pottsville, 201 N. Centre St.; Schuylkill Haven, 340 Haven St.; Mahanoy City, 138 W. Centre St.; Tremont, 139 Clay St., and Shenandoah, 116 N. Main St. A representative can pick up vouchers for an eligible senior as long as they have a signed and completed proxy form. The representative must bring some form of identification. For more information, call Knowles’ district office in Tamaqua at 570-668-1240 or in Hamburg at 610-562-3411.

PINE GROVE — The gift Andrew Joseph “A.J.” Mindy received from a fellow student made the Pine Grove Area seventh-grader feel like “Iron Man.” For him, and sixth-grader Casandra “Cassie” Stewart, it opened the door for more musical pursuits.

Nicholas Brown, a Pine Grove Area High School freshman, on Tuesday presented Andrew and Casandra with new prosthetic hands he created using the district’s 3-D printer. The three were recognized during an end-of-year awards ceremony at the high school. Family members of the students and representatives from the Pine Grove Area School District, the Armed Forces, the state Department of Education and the Pennsylvania State Education Association were in attendance to honor the collaborative work.

Andrew’s mother, Susan Mindy, a senior staff sergeant serving with the Air Force in Kuwait since January, had the opportunity to see her son’s prosthesis via a video conference chat.

Brown received a standing ovation for his efforts and awards from PDE, Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, and the state House of Representatives and the school district.

“I would like to present you with this plaque for all of your dedication and your innovative work in designing and producing these prosthetics. You’ve done a great job. I appreciate all of your hard work,” high school technology teacher Bradley Fessler said as he presented the district award to Brown.

Brown, 15, is a son of Christopher and Katthleen Brown, Pine Grove.

He said he designed the prosthetics in a basic computer-aided drafting class. It was his first time using the Solidworks software and the 3-D printer, called “Mak R Bot.” Fessler said the prosthesis were made of polylactic acid plastic. Then, they were coated with epoxy.

The idea for the prosthesis came about after Rebecca Pugh, the middle school general music teacher, noticed Andrew and Casandra’s interest in playing instruments. Both currently play the trumpet in the school band. Pugh contacted Fessler to see if there was anything that could be developed to assist them to possibly play the guitar or drums.

“It started with Ms. Pugh, who told Mr. Fessler, who came to me, and I agreed,” Brown said.

Mastering the software technology was his biggest challenge, he said.

“Learning how to do it first because I had no idea how to use the software. Everything was new. After a while, it became a lot easier,” Brown, who has an interest in electrical and mechanical engineering and robotics, said.

Brown started working on the project at the end of the first semester in October and November and worked on it the whole last half of the school year. He said he didn’t know Andrew or Casandra before he started, but later found out that his brother, Alexander Brown, was friends with A.J.

“The first time I saw them was in February or March when I went to the middle school for their fitting. I didn’t have to do much after the fitting, but I did lengthen it. Just the back. Their arms were longer than the prosthetic, so to add more stability, I lengthened it,” he said.

There were five prototypes, he said.

Brown said the staff and students have been supportive of the effort.

“Lots of them congratulated me, and they really liked how I was helping other people,” he said.

Andrew, 13, is the son of Mark and Susan Mindy. He demonstrated his new prosthetic and its attachments to his mother Tuesday after Fessler coordinated the chat.

“We communicate with her with an app on our cellular devices, but we really don’t get to see her too much,” Andrew said, after heading to the library for a community press conference.

“The tech teacher contacted my dad and said we’d like to do this, so, I agreed,” Andrew said.

“I honestly don’t need a prosthesis because I can do 95 percent of the things that anyone else can do,” he said, noting playing the drums was something he always wanted to pursue.

“I wanted to play the drums, so I got a roll of Scotch tape and I taped a drumstick to my nubby, and I tried to play the drums with it. But, it’s Scotch tape, and it’s not going to last forever,” he said.

“All I do now is slide it (the drumstick) in and tighten the screw. I never saw this until today. They had five prototypes, and I believe they showed us three of them. They fitted us, then they measured for our attachments, and then this,” he said, smiling, as he held up his completed, prosthetic hand.

Andrew and Casandra were able to choose the exterior color. Andrew picked the Cardinals’ school color, maroon, while Casandra selected pink.

“It was Mr. Fessler’s idea to get it metallic, which I think was a really good touch. Now, I kind of consider myself Iron Man,” Andrew said. “I want to see if I can talk my dad into getting a drum set.”

Several of Andrew’s family members attended the presentation, in addition to his father. They included his aunt, Carol Mesa, North Carolina, who’s been staying with Andrew’s family since his mother’s deployment; his grandmother, Thelma Laudermilch, Pine Grove; and uncles and aunts, Keith Laudenmilch and Dru Ann Poda-Laudermilch, both of Pottsville; Ron and Tina Kocher and William Kocher, all of Pine Grove.

Casandra, 12, a daughter of Nikki and Michael Stewart, Pine Grove, also greeted members of the media and well-wishers in the library. She said learning of the prosthetic hand was a surprise.

“My mom was on the phone, and she was being all secretive and I didn’t know what was going on. When she hung up, I started bugging her to tell me, and she told me that they’d try to make a prosthetic, so I could play guitar,” she said.

“I think the sound the guitar makes is really, really cool. I play trumpet, and that’s really all. I tried to play guitar before, and the same with drums,” she said.

Nikki Stewart said the school cleared everything with the family before the project began.

“Mr. Fessler had called and he wanted to make sure that it would be OK to use Cassie, and he didn’t want to step on any toes or cause hurt feelings or have anyone be offended, and it just went from there. We met one day to get an idea of how it would look, and this is the first I’ve seen it since that day. It’s different, we have to figure out how to use it, but if it serves a purpose that she can practice on a guitar, that will be great,” Nikki Stewart said.

“I saw two or three prototypes before this. The original one was gray, and they added other new things. That was really cool, I hadn’t expected the drumsticks. I played the bongos, but not with sticks,” she said after seeing the sticks had been included with the storage case for the prosthesis and attachments.

“In music class, she (Ms. Pugh) has this thing where the whole class plays guitar and different things, and I didn’t really know how ... the same thing with the piano. So it’s just really cool now that I can play guitar and drums.”

Her mother said the family went to Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia and had previously received a cosmetic prosthetic hand for Casandra.

“You could move these two fingers to hold stuff, but it was really hard,” Casandra said.

“You had to pry it open, and no sooner that she had it, she grew out of it,” her mother said.

Her father said they had looked at a fully functional hand that was printed from a 3-D printer, too, but that was about a year and a half ago, the last time they visited Shriners.

They discussed getting Casandra fitted with a cable prosthesis, where she would wear a harness.

“We could go back and get her fitted for it, if it was something that she’d want us to do. We’re looking into different options. We’re grateful to Shriners,” her mother said.

The family appreciates what Brown has done, they said.

The first thing Casandra plans to do when she gets her prosthetic hand home: “I’m going to try to play the drums.”

The assembly drew a crowd of classmates and community leaders, who watched a video, detailing the project. Fessler made a grant application to the Pine Grove Area Education Foundation to obtain the 3-D printer for his classroom. This is the first year the printer has been used. During the video address, Pine Grove Area High School Principal Michael Janicelli said, “When students help other students, that’s what education is all about.”

“This is amazing,” said David Volkman, executive deputy secretary of the state Department of Education, who was representing Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera, at the awards ceremony. “I want to congratulate our very talented young man.”

Volkman did a little research and shared an interesting discovery.

“Your generation of young people is actually going to be the most intelligent. Did you know that? Recent assessments tell us that this generation will be the most intelligent in American history,” he said.

“Also, your generation is going to have to match the challenges that comes to the United States from other nations because of our global economy. You also have to be on the cutting edge of bio- and nanotechnology. Why? Think about this. Next year, 90 percent of the world’s scientists and engineers will be coming from Asia,” Volkman said.

Volkman said most of the students present aren’t going to start to work until they’re 21, due to their education effort. The average American a century ago, he said, began working when they were 14.

“The downside is, you’re going to have to work longer than anybody else in American history. You folks are projected to live to be about 107 years old. So, you have a very long, and challenging and rewarding career ahead of you,” he said.

Volkman introduced Judd Pittman, the special advisor to the secretary on STEM education.

“As we move forward, there’s going to be more opportunities for you to engage in jobs that are going to require skills in science, technology, engineering and math,” Pittman said. “One of the most important parts of those jobs will be that you’re critical thinkers, and that you can persevere, and keep trying and keep going at projects and new ideas. That is exemplified by the prototype process that Nick and (Mr. Fessler) put together. I think each of you needs to make sure you’re engaged in those types of processes.”

Pittman said students will need to have a stick-to-it attitude to be successful in the global marketplace.

“In your future in Pennsylvania alone, there’s going to be 350,000 jobs that are innovative jobs that are going to require these skills,” Pittman said.

Location incorrect

The location of an event which is part of the “2016 Pottsville Fitness Challenge” — “The Jungle Speed & Agility Camp” scheduled for 6 p.m. June 28 — is still being determined, according to Robert J. Oravitz, CEO of the Schuylkill YMCA. The location for the event listed in Tuesday’s edition was incorrect.

Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street

To Zachary Yeastadt and Kelly Umbenhen, Schuylkill Haven, a daughter, May 20.

St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson, Maryland

To Match and Kara Senich Zimmerman, Owings Mills, Md., a daughter, May 2. Grandparents are Greg and Gail Senich, Llewellyn, and Kent and Barbara Zimmerman, Cockeysville, Maryland.

While receiving their diplomas, each of the 45 graduates at Nativity BVM High School were also given a gold flower that they gave to their parents before returning to their seats during their commencement Tuesday evening in the gymnasium. It illustrated the significance of family that the Most Rev. John O. Barress, bishop of the Diocese of Allentown, talked about while addressing the Class of 2016 at the school’s 60th commencement exercises.

“I would like to congratulate you and your wonderful families this evening because this really is a celebration of your families,” Barres said.

Barres said the Roman Catholic Church has spent the past few years reflecting and praying to preserve the role of marriage and family in the 21st century.

“It can all be summarized in one simple sentence Pope Francis said in Philadelphia: Families transform the world in history,” Barres said.

He told the Class of 2016 that families can transform the world when they are faithful to the Catholic Church.

“You have such incredible plans, educational plans, career plans and ultimately vocational plans,” Barres said. “It will all unite, it will all find its proper direction and purpose if you are radically faithful to the body and blood of Christ, if you are radically faithful to the Sunday Mass.”

Skylar Stoudt, class valedictorian, said the Class of 2016 has been transformed over the past four years into young adults thanks to their teachers, classmates, parents and Catholic faith.

“As C.S. Lewis once said, ‘Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different?’ ” Stoudt said.

Stoudt said life is full of firsts and lasts and their parents will always be there for them.

“As independent as a child may become, they never stop needing their mom and dad. Our parents will encounter an abundance of firsts as we enter adulthood — our first day of college, first homesick phone call, first apartment, first job interview, first house, first child,” she said. “Brad Meltzer once said, ‘No matter how far we come, our parents are always in us.’ ”

Lauren Moyer, class salutatorian, also thanked the family and friends supporting the Class of 2016.

“Words can not express our appreciation for everything you’ve done for us,” she said.

Moyer told her classmates that no matter where life takes them after high school, they will always share their experiences at Nativity BVM.

“I encourage you to walk your own path and work to achieve your dreams and goals,” she said. “Never give up on what you believe in and what you dream for your future. For as author J.R.R. Tolkien once write, ‘A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities.’ Always maintain a strong sense of self and individuality. Embrace who you are and show the world what you have to offer.”

Also at the graduation ceremony, the school honored John Koch, Class of 1966, with the Distinguished Alumni Award, and two retiring faculty, Edward Tray, teacher, and Francis Foster, athletic director.

Eric S. Creamer left Schuylkill County Court a free man on Tuesday after a jury found him not guilty of 10 charges resulting from an alleged incident on Memorial Day 2015 in Mahanoy City.

Creamer, 25, of Pottsville, thanked the jury of eight men and four women after they found him not guilty of three counts of simple assault, two of terroristic threats and one each of aggravated assault, ethnic intimidation, possessing instrument of crime possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct.

Jurors deliberated less than an hour before reaching their verdict, which ended Creamer’s one-day trial over which Judge Charles M. Miller presided.

Mahanoy City police had charged Creamer with waving an air pistol that resembled a weapon, and holding a knife to a woman’s throat, about 1:45 p.m. May 25, 2015, in the 100 block of East Mahanoy Avenue.

“He had a gun in his hand and was pointing it toward me,” Enrique Santiago, Philadelphia, testified about Creamer. “I was scared. I thought he was going to shoot me.”

Enrique Santiago’s wife, Alicia Santiago, also identified Creamer as the man who put a knife to her throat and then spat blood in her face.

“That was disgusting,” she said. “I did fear for my life.”

“What part of the knife did you feel on your neck?” Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Smith asked her.

“The blade,” she answered. “I thought he was going to kill me.”

When cross-examined by Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, Creamer’s lawyer, Alicia Santiago testified she thought Creamer was on drugs. She also said she and other family members came to Creamer’s house separately.

Timothy A. Sheeler testified he saw Creamer running and screaming in the street after the borough’s Memorial Day parade had ended.

Also testifying for the prosecution were John P. Simon, who said Creamer started a fight and used an ethnic slur against him and other people, and Janelle M. McGowan, who said Creamer got in a fight, used another ethnic slur and released two dogs onto the street.

“It was just chaos,” McGowan said of the situation. “It all happened so fast. It was very dramatic.”

In her closing argument, Smith said the witnesses’ testimony, when viewed together, painted a clear picture of what occurred.

“There are certain things that stick out in one person’s mind that don’t stick out in another,” she said.

Creamer started the incident, pulled out a gun and was guilty of all charges, Smith said.

However, jurors accepted Watkins’ arguments that almost all the witnesses against his client were family members taking the law into their own hands, no independent people testified about anything essential in the case and that the prosecution witnesses provoked the incident by heading toward the defendant’s house.

“There’s bad blood here against Mr. Creamer,” Watkins said. “There was no reason to go over there (to Creamer’s house). He’s not a big, hulking tough guy.”

Defendant

Name: Eric S. Creamer

Age: 25

Residence: Pottsville, formerly of Mahanoy City

Verdict: Not guilty of three counts of simple assault, two of terroristic threats and one each of aggravated assault, ethnic intimidation, possessing instrument of crime possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct

A Pottsville man will spend time in state prison after pleading guilty Friday in Schuylkill County Court to charges stemming from two cases that arose on the same day.

Timothy J. Willman, 30, pleaded guilty to possession of paraphernalia in one case and accident involving death or personal injury, disregarding traffic lanes and seat belt violation in the other. Prosecutors withdrew charges of failure to drive at a safe speed, failing to stop and give information and failing to notify police of accident.

Judge James P. Goodman accepted Willman’s plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced him to serve one to two years in a state correctional institution and pay costs, $50 in fines and $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund.

State police at Schuylkill Haven filed both cases against Willman, alleging he possessed three syringes on Nov. 19, 2015, and caused an accident in Mount Carbon on the same date.

Willman is an inmate at Delaware County Prison, and Goodman conducted Friday’s hearing by videoconference.

“You are in Delaware County because our prison is overcrowded,” Goodman said.

On June 3 in the county court, Jason D. Williams, 44, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty to public welfare fraud. Goodman accepted his plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced him to serve two days to 12 months in prison with immediate parole and pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, a $50 bench warrant fee and $1,148 restitution to the state Office of Inspector General.

Schuylkill County detectives charged Williams with committing the fraud between Oct. 17, 2014, and May 22, 2015.

In other recent Schuylkill County Court action, Goodman accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Catherine M. Bainbridge, 21, of Frackville; corruption of minors; 12 months probation and $50 payment to the CJEA. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of inducing minors to buy liquor.

Rebecca C. Bell, 20, of Frackville; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 bench warrant fee.

David J. Botek, 36, of Saint Clair; careless driving, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility and driving unregistered vehicle; $350 in fines and $500 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, disregarding traffic lanes and failure to drive at a safe speed.

Heather M. Bowden, 28, of Kaska; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment.

Peter D. Burke, 37, of Pine Grove; driving under the influence; five years in the intermediate punishment program, $1,500 fine, $300 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.

Aaron J. Campbell, 35, of Shenandoah; DUI; six months in the intermediate punishment program, $300 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew charges of failure to use low beam, disregarding traffic lanes, seat belt violation and careless driving.

Johmane J. Chia, 30, of New Philadelphia; possession of a small amount of marijuana; 30 days probation and $100 SAEF payment.

Jason E. Conner, 38, of Pitman; two counts of retail theft; 12 months probation, $100 in CJEA payments, $58.97 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of receiving stolen property.

Joseph A. Deesing Jr., 60, of Ringtown; harassment; $50 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of simple assault.

Tonya L. Dimmick, 36, of Frackville; DUI; five years in the intermediate punishment program, $2,500 fine, $300 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of failure to drive at a safe speed.

Nicholas W. Evely, 19, of Danville; resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia; two years probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of simple assault, escape, public drunkenness and purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor.

Danielle C. Haupt, 20, of Honey Grove; two counts of false identification to law enforcement and one of possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $100 in bench warrant fees. Prosecutors withdrew charges of public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor.

Kevin W. Kessock, 31, of Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee.

Jennifer L. McGovern, 44, of Auburn; three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one each of DUI, theft and driving without rear lights; 15 days to six months house arrest with electronic monitoring, $1,025 in fines, $300 in SAEF payments, $50 bench warrant fee, $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and $460 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew charges of conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Robert A. McIntosh, 33, of Lehighton; DUI; six months in the intermediate punishment program, $1,000 fine and $100 SAEF payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of disregarding traffic lanes, careless driving, improper sunscreening, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, suspended vehicle registration and failure to notify authorities of change of address.

Joseph Moriba, 38, of Reading; meeting or overtaking school bus and following too closely; $600 in fines. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of recklessly endangering another person and one of reckless driving.

Kareen A. Murray, 36, of Paxinos; DUI and recklessly endangering another person; six months in the intermediate punishment program, 12 months probation, $750 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $821.16 restitution.

Victoria Omari, 54, of Frackville; criminal trespass; $50 fine. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of disorderly conduct and one of defiant trespass.

Melissa A. Oriel, 42, of Tamaqua; DUI; six months in the intermediate punishment program, $300 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew charges of speeding and careless driving.

Jennifer M. Probition, 38, of Frackville; hindering apprehension and possession of drug paraphernalia; two years probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of hindering apprehension.

Fernando Rivera-Ortiz, 40, of Minersville; unsworn falsification to authorities; two years probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of materially false written statement.

Javonie S. Rosa, 22, of Pottsville; stop sign violation; $25 fine. Prosecutors withdrew charges of DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia.

All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.

Marriage licenses

Bila Justice, Frackville, and Teshema C. Cottman, Atlanta, Georgia.

Kyle A. Matter, Sacramento, and Nichole D. Martz, Sacramento.

Robert L. Arsenault Muir, and Sharon K. Wortman, Muir.

Marc L. Robinson, McAdoo, and Cheyanne J. Harris, McAdoo.

Hakeim M. Robinson, Frackville, and Lori K. Alberer, New Castle, Delaware.

Douglas W. Juers, Girardville, and Marguerite D. Latham, Girardville.

Scott A. Dawson, Pine Grove, and Amy E. Madenford, Pine Grove.

David B. Snyder, Shenandoah, and Tanya M. Appleby, Kempton.

Divorces granted

Margaret Beury, Pottsville, from Kenneth Beury, Pottsville.

Melissa Lafferty, Minersville, from Robert Lafferty, Minersville.

Jason Bowen, Auburn, from Jamey Rhodenizer, Laureldale.

Sarah Dagostino, Pine Grove, from Franklin Dagostino, Pine Grove.

James Saylor, Orwigsburg, from Jennifer Sahlor, Cockeysville, Maryland.

Rebecca L. Kline, Pottsville, from Scott M. Kline, Saint Clair.

Angelique Mahmod, Shen-andoah, from John Pritula, Lost Creek

HEGINS — Hegins Township will prosecute those that abuse the use of the township’s recycling bins.

Police Chief Steven Lohr reported at the supervisors’ June 1 meeting that people continue to dump items outside of the bins. The supervisors agreed to buy a new security camera at the recycling site, next to the township office on Gap Street in Valley View.

Residents had been alerted about the abuse at last month’s meeting.

Supervisors attending included Gary Harner, Michael Begis, Bruce Klouser and Sandra McCullough. Supervisor Brad Carl was absent.

In other business, Treasurer Cathy Moyer reported income for the month of May was $180,867.55 due to tax revenues and a Comcast franchise check, while expenses were $82,454.99, leaving a balance for the month of $98,412.56.

When there was a motion to pay the bills, Begis questioned why Hegins Township paid $4,000 to have Entech at the Act 537 hearing before the state Environmental Hearing Board. He said Entech testified on behalf of the Concerned Citizens group and were never called by the attorney for Hegins Township. McCullough made the motion and it was seconded by Harner to pay the bills.

Under the road foreman report, it was noted the road crew had been working on opening the Tri-Valley Community Pool and crack sealing the roads for the upcoming road project. Road Foreman Craig Coleman and Moyer attended a FEMA workshop to apply for reimbursement for Winter Storm Jonas. The report was accepted as presented.

In the solicitor’s report, solicitor Donald G. Karpowich announced that he’s been working on the township’s wind turbine ordinance. He suggested making some changes to the existing ordinance and amending it to the zoning ordinance. The matter will first be reviewed by the local planning commission on June 22, and by Schuylkill County on July 20, and will be considered by the supervisors at the board’s August meeting. There was also discussion of an agreement with Williams Pipeline and a fireworks ordinance. Karpowich presented terms of the Upper Dauphin Income Tax Office settlement and the supervisors made a motion to agree to the terms of the settlement, although it’s not yet been determined how much money the township may receive.

In other action, the supervisors approved:

• A quote from Tim Stehr for the purchase, installation and setup of a new computer for the township office at a cost of $915.

• For the township to participate and host a Fall Electronics Cleanup through Schuylkill County. A date has not yet been set.

• Removal of Vernon Schlegel’s name from the Gratz Bank Account. Schlegel was the former township treasurer, who recently resigned.

• Opening a separate bank account for the Tri-Valley Community Pool, per recommendation of the auditors.

There will be a special meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday to open bids for the township’s culvert box replacement project. The next regular board meeting will be 7 p.m. July 6.

SAINT CLAIR — As it predicted in May, the Saint Clair Area school board Wednesday approved its spending plan the 2016-17 school year with a tax increase.

At the board’s June meeting Wednesday night at its elementary/middle school at 227 S. Mill St., it approved a general budget of $10,305,426. It approved a 1.17-mill real estate tax increase. The millage for 2016-17 will be 35.67 mills, or $3.56 on every $100 of assessed valuation.

“We brought full-day kindergarten back. We don’t know what’s going to happen with the Schuylkill Mall, with that current situation. We’re planning ahead. We still don’t have art. We still don’t have Spanish. We have classroom sizes, in some grade levels, of 30 or more. And with the increases in PSERS (Public School Employees’ Retirement System) we have to plan ahead,” Jason Bendle, the district’s superintendent and principal, said.

For the 2015-16 school year, the board adopted a $9,901,934 spending plan with a tax increase, hiking the millage rate from 32.35 to 34.5.

For the 2016-17 school year, the board did not raise the taxes beyond an index calculated by the state Department of Education, Terry Schane, business manager for Saint Clair Area, said. She was referring to Section 311(d)(1) of the Special Session Act 1 of 2006.

All other members of the board present Wednesday voted in favor of the motions: board President Michael Holobetz; board Vice President Jeanette Zembas; board Treasurer Erin Murhon, and board members Marlene Cook, Robert Matlock, Kathleen Modica and Brian Regnier.

Absent was board member Virginia Bartashus.

Following are the salaries for Saint Clair Area administrators for the 2015-16 and the 2016-17 school years: Bendle, superintendent/principal, $84,711.56, $92,475; Schane, business manager/office manager, $53,850, $55,500; Kacie Fetterolf, special education coordinator, $45,850, $47,500; and Sam Kochenberger, dean of students/IT coordinator, $42,000, $44,062.50.

In other matters at Wednesday’s meeting, the board hired Allison Cleary as a middle school English teacher with a 2016-17 salary of $31,500 and hired Josh Oldman as a K-8 music teacher with a 2016-17 salary of $31,500.

The board also hired Erin Trezise as a special education teacher with a 2016-17 salary of $31,500, and approved her for the Extended School Year Program at an hourly rate as per contract, Bendle said.

Schane also announced that Saint Clair Area will begin holding its “Free Summer Meals” for children 18 and younger will be held at two locations this year from Monday to Aug. 5.

At the Saint Clair Elementary/Middle School, there will be breakfast from 8 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Schane said.

At 15 Macomb St., New Philadelphia, there will be lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, Schane said.

ELIZABETHVILLE — A man charged with raping two young girls in Dauphin County waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Timothy M. Watts Jr., 33, whose last known address was 126 S. Main St., Elizabethville, was scheduled to appear before Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum but waived that right, moving the charges to Dauphin County Court.

Watts was arrested by state police Trooper Christopher Wright of the Lykens station and charged with three felony counts of rape; two felony counts of aggravated indecent assault; and one felony count each of unlawful contact with a minor and another sexual offense involving children.

He was also charged with misdemeanor offenses of indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor.

After waiving his right to a hearing Watts was returned to Dauphin County Prison where he is being held on $500,000 straight cash bail since the time of his arrest and preliminary arraignment on May 5.

Wright charged Watts in connection with crimes committed at a Berrysburg home between April 2014 and April 2016.

Wright said the incidents came to light on April 26 when he was contacted by Dauphin County Children & Youth Services regarding a suspected sexual abuse incident involving two girls, ages 12 and 13.

During a subsequent Watts told investigators he believed the allegations of abuse were about his drinking problem and not anything he did to the girls.

Both girls were interviewed by a forensic child examiner at the Children’s Resource Center, Harrisburg, on May 4 during which the 13-year-old reported had inappropriate sexual contact and forcible rape with her more than five times but less than 10 times and that the incidents started when she was 11 years old.

On some of those occasions, Wright said, the girl reported Watts would have intercourse with her and place his hand over her mouth telling her to be quiet. The child said that when the rapes occurred, Watts would be drunk and the next day tell her he was sorry and pay her $20 to $30, the trooper said.

Wright said that during an interview with the 12-year-old girl, the child reported Watts touched her inappropriately on more than five occasions beginning when she was 9.

On May 5, Wright said he interviewed Watts concerning the allegations, at which time the man confessed to having sex with the 13-year-old girl one time and said it occurred April 2016. Watts admitted touching the 13-year-old inappropriately numerous times and touching the 12-year-old inappropriately at least once, the trooper said.

Watts will now have to appear for a formal arraignment in July at the Dauphin County Courthouse.

SUV crash results

in DUI charges

McADOO — A Hazleton man faces DUI charges, following an accident Tuesday in Banks Township, Carbon County, state police in Hazleton said.

Omar Rodriguez-Palomares, no age given, was observed driving a white Nissan Murano at 10:50 a.m., when police saw him pass at the intersection of Route 93 and Arthur Gardner Highway at a high rate of speed.

Rodriguez-Palomares continued to travel south on Route 93 at a high rate of speed, police said. Troopers lost sight of the vehicle and never actively pursued the Nissan. A short time later, police were advised of a crash on Route 93 in the parking lot of Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church involving the Nissan.

A police investigation determined Rodriguez-Palomares lost control of his vehicle along a curve in the roadway and struck a utility pole. After his vehicle struck the pole, Rodriguez-Palomares exited the vehicle and threw a plastic bag containing heroin, marijuana and prescription pills into a nearby yard, police said.

The driver was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, for injuries suffered in the crash.

Charges will be filed against Rodriguez-Palomares through District Magisterial Judge Joseph D. Homanko’s office, Palmerton.

N.C. truck driver

to receive citation

GORDON — A North Carolina truck driver will be cited after the tractor-trailer he was driving crashed at the bottom of the Gordon Mountain.

State police at Frackville said Bruce A. Williams, 59, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was driving a tractor-trailer west on Route 4007. He failed to notice signs near the Interstate 81 junction prohibiting commercial motor vehicles on the highway.

While descending the hill, police said, the brakes on Williams’ truck failed, causing him to continue west to the bottom of the hill, cross over Route 4004 and hit an unattended vehicle that was parked in a yard off West Plane Street.

Williams and his passenger, Pamela Gardner, also of Raleigh, were not injured in the crash.

Police said that as a result of the crash, Williams will receive citations and have to appear before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville.

ORWIGSBURG — Each of the award recipients at the annual Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Breakfast had a reason for why they give back to the community.

The event held at the Schuylkill Country Club was attended by more than 100 people.

District Attorney Christine Holman was honored with the Business Woman of the Year Award. In her speech, she said a comment her father gave her when she was 19 serves as an inspiration.

“You’re tough as nails,” she recalled him saying. She said she remembers that when she encounters an obstacle some might consider difficult to surmount.

Before the chosen recipients spoke, some brief information was provided on the winners by those who introduced them. Those honored Wednesday where chosen after being nominated and the final individuals were selected by the awards committee of about 10 people who are Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce members. All who attended said they were honored to receive the award, which were sponsored by businesses. The event was sponsored by the First National Bank & Trust Co.

Awards were bestowed in several categories: Business Woman of the Year, Business Man of the Year, For-Profit Organization of the Year, Nonprofit Organization of the Year, Entrepreneurs of the Year and the James M. Stine Lifetime of Service Award.

“If we all can have the drive and the aspirations that Christine Holman has we can make Schuylkill County a better place,” Linda Marchalk, county treasurer, said.

She said Holman “exemplifies qualities of a successful and outstanding businesswoman. Her dedication, drive, perseverance and love of the community have made her an asset to Schuylkill County. She has made great strides in ridding our streets of drugs, combatting blighted properties that serve as hotbeds for criminal activity and implementing programs to better protect our senior citizens.”

She also said Holman is involved in the community in various roles including a member of the Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance.

Holman said she will continue to make the county “a better, safe and glorious place to live.”

Jerry Labooty was named Business Man of the Year. He is owner of The Greystone, Pottsville and is on the board of several organizations, including the Pottsville Business Association and the Schuylkill and Lebanon Sexual Assault and Resource Counseling Center.

“Jerry demonstrates business excellence, exhibits creativity in business and community and enhances stability and improves his community by promoting non-violence and safety for women, children and animals, as well as, supporting local law enforcement professionals,” April Mitchell, said in introducing Labooty.

“Deep roots are needed to be strong. My roots. My seeds were planted here,” Labooty said of his commitment to Schuylkill County.

He said the people in the county need to depend on each other.

“Our sole purpose for being here is to thrive,” he said. “When people are given the opportunity to help others, they should do so.”

Progressive Vision Institute was named the For-Profit Organization of the Year. The practice has eight locations and three accredited advanced surgery centers statewide. Dr. Solomon C. Luo is the founder who opened the first office in 1986 in Pottsville, which is the only one in Schuylkill County. The other offices are in Wyomissing, Allentown, Shamokin, Oaks, Easton and two in Philadelphia. The surgery centers are located in Allentown, Pottsville and Wyomissing.

Dr. Maria Barbe, an ophthalmologist, said Luo could not attend the awards presentation because he was at the new surgery center in Allentown.

“Patients come first,” she said.

Schuylkill Headwaters Association Inc. is the Nonprofit Organization of the Year. Formed in 1998, the organization, seeks to “promote the environmental integrity of the Schuylkill River, its tributaries and the watershed that lies within the boundaries of Schuylkill County. SHA works to protect and enhance the headwaters of the Schuylkill River by educating residents about the Schuylkill River and by implementing projects to reduce and control pollution. There are various sources of water pollution within the headwaters of the Schuylkill River, but the main impairment is abandoned mine drainage,” according to its website, www.schuylkillheadwaters.org.

“Over the last two decades, the SHA has secured over $4 million in public and private funding for water quality improvements and community enhanced projects in Schuylkill County,” according to information presented.

Bill Reichert, president of Schuylkill Headwaters Association, said the organization is trying to make the county a better place to live.

“We are going to do more work for the community,” he said.

Entrepreneurs of the year are Vito and Kelli Valenti for Vito’s Coal Fired Pizza, Saint Clair. Bill Heckman, of Heckman and Laudeman LLC, spoke about how he meet Vito. He told a story about when he met Vito Valenti that his accounting method was used pizza boxes, one labeled cash in and the other cash out.

Valenti said he learned his work ethic from his father. He talked about how his father came to the United States from Italy and lived in New York. He worked at a filing company and didn’t love his work. He would often stop by a pizza shop nearby that piqued his interest.

“He was homesick,” Vito Valenti said of his father.

Kelli Valenti said they appreciate the recognition.

Lastly, the Billy Payne was awarded the James M. Stine Life of Service Award. This is the third time the award has been given to someone. The first person was to the late James M. Stine, the former head of Cressona Aluminum. The second recipient was Joseph H. Jones Sr., local attorney and former president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Payne was not able to attend the event due to illness. She was given the award in May.

“Keep her in your prayers,” Bob Carl, chamber executive director, said.

Payne is well known in the community for her role in the Pottsville Winter Carnival and other local events.

“This woman brings passion. She has set an example for all of us. She is always positive. She has unending energy,” Carl said.

Certificates, proclamations and citations were also given out by local, state and regional officials.

Schuylkill County’s director of community development Gary Bender will be filling in as interim county administrator until the commissioners find a replacement for Mark Scarbinsky, who retired last week.

The county commissioners approved Bender’s promotion Wednesday.

“I will take a backseat to no one in terms of credentials to do the job,” Bender said.

Bender, 65, of Porter Township, has been with the county since March 2006 when he was hired as grant writer and administrator. He has since taken on numerous responsibilities, such as administering the county demolition and community development block grant programs.

Bender was assigned as director of the newly created office of community and economic development in 2013. The office consolidated the CDBG, blight and demolition and grant administration programs. He is also responsible for approving all purchase orders and check requests and office management for the commissioners suite at the courthouse.

“In all that time, no responsibilities were taken from me, things have been added on,” Bender said. “So I do believe I have the qualities to do it. I think I have the track record here at the county and I think my record speaks for itself that I can do the job.”

“I have a wealth of experience in county government,” Bender said. “I have the ability to make the right decisions. All the decisions in spending money comes from the commissioners, not from the county administrator.”

Bender’s promotion went into effect Wednesday. His salary increased from $51,420 to $67,700.

The county is still looking for applications for a permanent administrator. As of Wednesday, Bender said he does not intend to apply for the position.

“It’s a logical transition,” commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said. “Gary has done an outstanding job here and I’m sure he will continue to do an outstanding job.”

Halcovage said that Scarbinsky may still be used as a consultant for the county. He said the administrator position has already been advertised and there is also the possibility of bringing back an assistant administrator position.

“What the administration staff and our workers do on a daily basis, they are the key that keeps everything moving,” Halcovage said. “I couldn’t be prouder to have someone of the caliber of Gary Bender be in that position.”

Commissioner Gary J. Hess, the lone Democrat on the board, voted against the appointment, citing Bender’s role as chairman of the county’s Republican party.

“I feel this is one of the highest appointed positions here in the county,” Hess said. “I feel that this position should be as nonpolitical, unbiased as it can be, no matter the person’s political affiliations. The reason I am opposed to it is because the appointment is going to the chairman of a political party. I feel this is not right and in a way I feel is unethical.”

He continued, “I want to make myself very clear. This is no way an attack on Mr. Bender’s work ethic or his capability of doing the job. Even if the person is on the Democratic side, my feelings would be the same on this position.”

Hess also said that the board had plenty of time from when Scrabinsky made his intentions to retire to hire someone for the position.

“We almost had three months notice that Mr. Scarbinsky was planning to leave and in all that time a new administrator could have been in place and the search could have been put out there,” Hess said. “I am very disappointed because it was not until Friday of this past week that I was informed of the intention of Mr. Bender’s appointment.”

Hess said that it was Bender who discussed the appointment with him and not the board chairman.

“It is my feeling that this was planned all along and that the stalemate of this process is where we are at today,” Hess said.

As to why it took three months to decide, Halcovage said, “We wanted to make sure we were making a good decision. I don’t think the timing of that is as major an item as having a good transition going forward and get someone into the position as soon as possible.”

Bender said his political affiliation does not influence any decision he makes in his job at the county.

“You can talk to anyone I worked with in here, politics ends at the door when I walk in here in the morning,” Bender said. “We have not time for that at the county.”

The state Environmental Hearing Board this week dismissed the borough of Saint Clair’s appeal to stop the development construction demolition landfill in Blythe Township nicknamed BRADS.

“Saint Clair did not meet its burden of proof to establish that the Department acted unreasonably or contrary to law in reissuing the landfill permit to Blythe Township,” the board stated in an adjudication on June 6.

In turn, the borough council late Tuesday decided to appeal its case to Commonwealth Court, its solicitor, Edward M. Brennan, Pottsville, said Wednesday.

“Council President James Larish made the motion. It was seconded by William Dempsey. A roll call vote was taken. The result was unanimously in favor of appealing the decision,” Roland Price Jr., borough secretary, said Wednesday.

All members of the council were present for Tuesday’s meeting. The others include: council Vice President Michael Petrozino and council members Joann Brennan, John R. Burke, Rebecca “Becky” Kovich and Tom Dempsey.

And if the borough isn’t satisfied with the verdict of the Commonwealth Court, the borough may appeal the case to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Brennan said in March.

The BRADS project can now move forward, Colleen Connolly, community relations coordinator with the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Northeast Regional Office, Wilkes-Barre, said Wednesday.

“Yes, in the eyes of the DEP, the BRADS landfill permit has been issued and the project can move forward,” Connolly said.

Brennan said he was aware of that. “They’ll move forward at their own risk,” he said, since the borough will continue its efforts to appeal its case to shut the project down.

Blythe Township and a private entity called FKV LLC have been working for more than a decade to develop the more than $20 million Blythe Recycling And Demolition Site in Silver Creek along Burma Road. Since 2003, the township has had two contracts with FKV. The second was approved in October 2007.

When asked about the state Environmental Hearing Board’s decision, Steven Field and David A. Ventresca, two of the partners in the development firm FKV LLC, would not comment.

“No comment. It’s self explanatory,” Ventresca said.

And Ventresca would not answer any further questions about the project.

Since 2003, the borough of Saint Clair has spent more than $1 million in legal and expert witness fees in attempts to stop the project, according to information provided by borough officials, including Price.

On June 23, 2011, the state Department of Environmental Protection issued “Permit number: PAR502209,” a five-year permit, for discharge of stormwater associated with industrial activities, according to the DEP e-FACTS website.

“That’s an NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit to discharge runoff from property into sewer system or waterway. That permit has not been appealed,” Connolly said recently.

On July 13, 2012, the DEP issued “Permit number: 101679,” a 10-year permit, to Blythe Township for development of the landfill, according to the DEP e-FACTS website.

“That’s a permit to begin site development of the landfill. That one was appealed,” Connolly said.

The state Environmental Hearing Board includes: Thomas W. Renwand, chief judge and chairman; and judges Michelle A. Coleman, Bernard A. Labuskes Jr., Richard P. Mather Sr., and Steven C. Beckman.

Three hearings were held on Saint Clair’s appeal in early February.

Comments the board made in its 42-page report include the following:

• “The appellant must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the Department acted unreasonably or contrary to the law, that its decision is not supported by the facts, or that it is inconsistent with the Department’s obligations under the Pennsylvania Constitution.”

• “Saint Clair has not raised any constitutional claims, so it must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the Department acted unlawfully or unreasonably in reissuing the landfill permit to Blythe based on the facts as we have found them to be.”

• “The Board reviews Department actions de novo, meaning we decide the case anew on the record developed before us.”

• “Our review in this appeal is confined to the issues remanded to the Department for further consideration: review of the nuisance minimization and control plan (NMCP) in light of on-site wind data, completion of the mine subsidence plan and rechecking the harms-benefits analysis to ensure that the conclusion had not changed in light of the new analyses of wind data and mine subsidence.”

• “An applicant for a construction and demolition waste landfill must submit with its permit application a nuisance minimization and control plan that is developed in part with the use of site-specific meteorological data.”

• “The Department acted reasonably in accepting 114 days of site-specific meteorological data and comparing it to previously collected off-site meteorological data. The Department properly concluded that Blythe Township’s nuisance minimization and control plan will adequately control nuisances that emanate from the BRADS Landfill site.”

• “If a landfill will be constructed over old mine workings, an applicant must submit a mine subsidence investigation assessing the potential future impacts of subsidence at the site.”

• “When there is the potential for mine subsidence, the Department must ensure that subsidence will not endanger or lessen the ability of the proposed facility to operate in a manner that is consistent with the act, the environmental protection acts and this title, and will not cause the proposed operation to endanger the environment or public health, safety or welfare.”

• “Township’s mine subsidence investigation shows that the landfill liner that will be installed on the site is more than capable of withstanding even the unlikely worst-case scenario of subsidence. Blythe Township was not required to obtain a mining permit in conjunction with its landfill permit.”

• “The Department properly concluded on remand that the BRADS Landfill satisfies the harms-benefits test.”

In a prepared statement Wednesday afternoon, Brennan said: “Saint Clair Borough sincerely believes that the DEP and its administrative law judge failed to find that BRADS will be excavating a vein of coal which is steeply pitched and plunges 120 feet down into the abandoned mine workings. The court failed to address the requirement that BRADS abide by all the mining laws. The court’s finding that there is no coal in the vein is at odds with the testimony of the BRADS experts themselves who indicated that there is some coal in the vein. They just don’t know how much. Likewise, we believe that the findings on the weather station are against the weight of the evidence. The only weather expert to be called was a gentleman by the name of Roger Greenway who was called by Saint Clair. He made it pretty clear that the data gathered by Blythe Township was wholly inadequate due to the installation and maintenance of the equipment. In fact, the equipment was maintained by local mechanics from Weiner Iron & Metal. DEP originally required one year’s worth of weather data and changed their position simply to accommodate the drilling schedule of BRADS as well as to facilitate a decision prior to Governor Wolf assuming office. The borough has voted to continue to fight this landfill by filing an application to the Commonwealth Court.”

MAR LIN — Scott Jacoby was voted as the president of the board of directors of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 on Monday.

No other nominations were submitted for the position during Monday’s board meeting.

“Congratulations, Mr. Jacoby. You’ve got another year,” solicitor James Caravan said.

Jacoby thanked the board members for their confidence.

Larry A. Wittig was nominated along with Charles Wagner for the vice president position. Wittig, who did not attend the meeting, was chosen as vice president after Wagner declined the nomination. Jay Hanley was chosen as secretary, and Gretchen Ulmer was voted to be treasurer.

In other matters, Diane M. Niederriter spoke about her decision to leave as executive director of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 to become superintendent of Williams Valley School District.

“It was my decision not to request a third contract,” she said.

Her present salary is $136,683.02. At Williams Valley, she will make $110,000.

Neiderriter was hired by Williams Valley last month as their new superintendent effective April 1, 2017, until March 31, 2020. She has familiarity with Williams Valley as she was the high school principal from 1996 to 2005 and superintendent from 2005 to 2008, she said.

“They were great to me,” she said of Williams Valley.

Neiderriter has been with Schuylkill IU 29 since July 1, 2008, and said she will miss the school. Her current contract with Schuylkill IU 29 is from April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2017.

“I made the change for personal reasons. I decided to go back to my home school district,” she said.

Jacoby admitted he was surprised she accepted a position elsewhere and that she hadn’t informed the Schuylkill IU 29 board.

“I am happy for her. I am disappointed because I think she did a good job. I liked working with her,” he said.

Jacoby said no decisions have been made on what to do about a search for a new executive director.

“We are at the beginning of step one,” he said.

In other personnel matters, the board held an executive session “for personnel and to deal with a grievance,” Neiderriter said. An STC employee filed a grievance May 9 that the board denied. Neiderriter and Jacoby did not reveal any details other than it was procedural and test-related.

The board also accepted a letter of intent to retire from Aldajean Howells, executive secretary to Neiderriter, effective Dec. 31. Howells said she has been with Schuylkill IU 29 since November 1979. She is retiring to spend more time with her family.

The board approved a letter to withdraw from Blue Mountain School District for participating in the Regional Wide Area Network, or RWAN, for 2016-21. The agreement was previously approved by the board on March 7, 2016. Anne Usuka said technology was not her area of expertise but the district thought it better to handle the internet connections.

“We can do it for less,” she said.

A handout provided at the meeting shows the cost to the 11 school districts, including Blue Mountain, Schuylkill IU 29, Schuylkill Technology Center and Marian High School, and is about $892.86 after federal reimbursement. Without Blue Mountain, the cost for the 10 school districts, Schuylkill IU 29, STC and Marian is about $600.96 because of a higher federal reimbursement.

Brian A. Manning, assistant business manager for Schuylkill IU 29, said Blue Mountain withdrawing does not impact the agreement in a negative way. He said they are the richest school district in the county and have the lowest reimbursement rate from the federal government.

The board approved the special education district services program budget of $7,421,818 for the upcoming school year.

Also approved were the revised Title 1 non-public budget of $74,857.97, English as a second language, $229,069; Act 89 non-public $594,050; Pottsville Hospital Program, $78,313; Schuylkill Learning Academy, $1,237,953; and Day Treatment Program, $203,935.

The board decided to enter into an agreement of cooperation for the Emerging Health Professional Program and the Schuylkill Health System, Pottsville, effective July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. Board members also decided to enter into a space utilization agreement with Lehigh Carbon Community College to provide noncredit public safety classes, noncredit customized job training classes and technology related classes at both the North and South campuses effective for the 2016-17 academic year with automatic one-year renewals unless either party requests a change in terms.

Instead of going to trial, a Philadelphia man admitted Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that he possessed two types of drugs in the state prison where he is serving time on other cases.

Jose Diaz, 27, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of a small amount of marijuana, with prosecutors withdrawing two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one of possession of contraband.

Judge John E. Domalakes, who had been scheduled to preside over Diaz’s trial on Wednesday, instead accepted his plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced him to serve one to two years in a state correctional institution and pay costs, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Domalakes made Diaz’s prison term consecutive to the one he already is serving.

“Mr. Diaz has accepted responsibility” for his actions, Domalakes said in explaining why he accepted his plea.

By pleading guilty, Diaz admitted possessing suboxone and marijuana on Dec. 26, 2014, at State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy, as state police at Frackville had charged.

Diaz said little during the hearing except that he understood the terms of his plea and was entering it knowingly and voluntarily.

After Diaz had been sentenced and taken away, Domalakes brought in the jurors who were to have heard his case to explain what had occurred. He said their presence made a difference in spite of the fact that there was no trial for them to hear.

“Your services are not going to be required any longer,” Domalakes told the jurors. “Had you not been here, this would not have resulted in his (guilty plea).”

A Philadelphia County jury convicted Diaz on Oct. 4, 2010, of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance, while acquitting him of prohibited possession of firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and possessing instrument of crime. Judge Chris R. Wogan sentenced Diaz on Dec. 10, 2010, to serve three to six years in a state correctional institution and 109 months probation.

On Oct. 14, 2014, Wogan revoked Diaz’s probation and resentenced him to serve five to 10 years in a state correctional institution.

Philadelphia police had charged Diaz with possessing drugs, and conspiring to do so, on March 2, 2010.

Before that case, Diaz had pleaded guilty in Philadelphia County Court in two other drug-related cases.

Some water customers in Pottsville may not have any water for a certain time period this weekend due to work on a water main by the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority.

The authority is performing a necessary repair on a water main in the city starting at 10 p.m. Friday. Some customers residing on or between Laurel Boulevard and Mahantongo Street from Third Street to 15th Street may experience a loss of water. Upon completion of the repair, a boil water advisory will be in effect for customers that experience a complete loss of water. Service is expected to resume mid-afternoon Saturday. In preparation, residents may want to buy bottled water or fill containers for use during the water outage.